Populus euphratica plant cadmium tolerance PePCR3 improves cadmium tolerance.

This article focuses on the role of Populus euphratica PCR3 (PePCR3), a plant cadmium resistance (PCR) protein, in enhancing cadmium (Cd) tolerance and translocation in poplar plants. The study demonstrates that PePCR3 localizes to the plasma membrane and, when overexpressed in hybrid poplar (P. alba × P. glandulosa), increases Cd tolerance by promoting Cd efflux from roots and facilitating Cd translocation to stems and leaves. Yeast assays confirmed that PePCR3 confers Cd tolerance and reduces Cd accumulation, with cysteine residues in its conserved motif being critical for function. Additionally, PePCR3 overexpression upregulated eight genes encoding heavy metal transporters, suggesting it interacts with other transporters to regulate Cd movement, highlighting its potential utility in phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soils.